A replica firearm, CS spray and assorted weaponry were seized and five people arrested when a team of London-based anti-fraud police travelled North to raid eight Keighley properties yesterday.

The City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) arrested four men and a woman who they believe have been involved with contrived collision fraud, a class of fraud that can include “crash for cash” insurance claims.

A unit from the specialist squad, including IFED head Detective Chief Inspector Dave Wood, and representatives from the Ministry of Justice arrived in Keighley early yesterday, and worked with West Yorkshire Police to execute warrants at various addresses in the town.

Last night IFED officers were questioning the five suspects, all local, on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.

Four of them are also thought to be involved in money laundering.

In a statement IFED said: “Officers from the City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department, investigating suspected contrived collision fraud in West Yorkshire, have executed eight warrants in the Keighley area.

“West Yorkshire Police officers were in attendance, as were representatives from the Ministry of Justice.

“During the warrants, officers seized a number of weapons as well as what is believed to be a BB gun and CS spray.

“Four men from Keighley have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.

“A woman, also from Keighley, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.”

None of the suspects has so far been charged, and the police did not reveal whether the warrants were for homes or business addresses.

The specialist team is funded by the Association of British Insurers but based with City of London Police.

It is made up of police detectives and financial investigators who mainly target motor insurance fraud, commercial and public liability fraud and emerging trends like illegal insurance advisers.